Device for maintaining a tied shoe lace knot

ABSTRACT

A device for securing a shoe lace has a first panel and a second panel affixed to the first panel. The second panel being movable about a fold line between a first position away from the first panel and a second position in contact with the first panel. A first shoe lace securing member extending from a first side of the first panel and a second shoe lace securing member extending from an opposed side of the first panel, each shoe lace securing member securing the first panel to a shoe. A fastener secures the first panel to the second panel when in contact with each other.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No.61/652,365, filed May 29, 2012, and is incorporated herein as set forthin its entirety

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application is related to an apparatus for securing shoe laces and,in particular, to a specific form of such an apparatus capable ofmaintaining a shoe lace in the tied position.

Any parent knows that the shoe laces of their children elementary ageand younger continuously seem to come untied. Therefore, the prior artrecognizes the need to secure a shoe lace to the shoe. One such priorart device is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,589 which has first andsecond jaws adapted to releasably capture at least a finished shoe laceknot. At least one jaw member is displaceable from the other jaw memberas a jaw opening. The jaw also includes spacers secured to the tongue ofthe shoe providing a space between the entrance to the jaws and the shoetongue. This device was satisfactory, however it suffered from thedisadvantage that it was complex to make, expensive to manufacture andrequired some dexterity in use.

Accordingly, a device which overcomes the shortcomings of the prior artis desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A device for securing a shoe lace includes a first panel. Lace receivingmembers are disposed on either side of the first panel. A second panelmoveable between a first position, adjacent the first panel, and asecond position, away from the first panel to provide clearance for ashoe lace, moves about a fold line. A fastener secures the first panelto the second panel.

In a preferred embodiment, both the first panel and the second panel areformed with a hook and loop arrangement on the panels in facing relationto secure the panel. Also, decorative or textual indicia may be added toan opposed surface of the second panel so that when in the closedposition, play value is provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to thefollowing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawingfigures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe lace securing device constructedin accordance with the invention in the open position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shoe lace securing device movingtowards the closed position in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the shoe lace securing device in use ona shoe in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference is first made to FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein a device for securing ashoe lace, generally indicated as 10, is provided. Device 10 includes afirst panel 20 having an interior surface 22. In a preferred embodiment,first panel 20 is sufficiently pliable so as to bend or give with thebending of the shoe upon which it is secured to prevent discomfort ordislodging of the shoe lace, during activities such as running, sports,or other play. in a preferred embodiment, the panels are made fromtwill, poplin, or a thin plastic sheet having the properties describedherein.

Shoe lace securing members 40, extend from each of opposed sides ofpanel 20 and are substantially coaxial with each other relative to panel20. Each shoe lace securing member includes a substrate 42 and a hole 44formed therein. Hole 44 is sized and dimensioned to be capable ofreceiving a shoe lace therethrough; preferably in a tension fit. In thisway shoe lace securing members 40 anchor panel 20 to the shoe.

A second panel 30 is disposed along the width of panel 22 across a foldline 36. Panel 30 has an interior facing surface 32. Panel 30 is movablebetween a first (open) position as shown in FIG. 1 through a secondposition as shown in FIG. 2 to a closed position in which interiorfacing surface 32 is in contact and facing relationship with interiorsurface 22 of first panel 20.

In a preferred embodiment, first panel 20 and second panel 30 are formedas an integral piece relative to each other about fold line 36.Furthermore, a fastening structure is provided. In a preferredembodiment, interior surface 22 and interior surface 32 are providedwith a hook and loop system, such as that sold under VELCRO® trademark.In this way, panels 20, 30 are secured to each other when in the closedposition. However, other fasteners may be used such as a button, a snap,or even a tie.

In yet another preferred embodiment, second panel 30 has an outwardlyfacing surface 36. Indicia 34 such as a character's face, a sports teamlogo, a favorite character, words, or the like is placed thereon. Inthis way, if indicia 34 is a face, it appears as if device 10 is bitingthe lace. However, in any event, even if indicia 34 is a sports teamlogo, or some other text, it encourages the child to keep the device inthe closed position to display indicia 34, and adds play value to device10.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 in which the use of device 10 isdemonstrated. Each shoe, generally indicated as 60, is formed with anupper, generally indicated as 64, and a sole, generally indicated as 66,secured to upper 64. Upper 64 includes lace receiving portions 69 a, 69b, having shoe lace securing structure such as holes 22 formed thereinfor receiving a shoe lace 70 in a laced pattern for holding the shoe 60on the foot of the wearer. Other shoe lace securing means such as hookscan be provided on lace receiving portion 69A, 69B.

The shoe lace securing device 10 is secured to shoe 60 so that outwardlyfacing surface 36 faces away from shoe 60. In a preferred embodiment,uppermost shoe lace holes 68 a, 68 b are substantially aligned withholes 42 of respective shoe lace securing members 40. Ends 74 of shoelace 70 pass through respective holes 44 of shoe lace securing members40. Device 10 is slid along shoe lace 70 until first panel 20 layssubstantially flat against a tongue 76 of shoe 60.

Device 10 is in an open position. Panel 30 is in the open position inwhich the interior face 32 of panel 30 is away from the interior face 22of panel 20. The shoe lace is then tied into a knot 78 as known in theart with the knot 78 laying against and in contact with inner surface 22of first panel 20.

Panel 30 is then rotated in the direction of arrow A towards panel 20along fold line 36. Panel 30 is rotated until at least a portion ofinterior surface 32 is in facing relationship and in contact withinterior surface 22 of panel 20. In the preferred embodiment, if aVELCRO® fastening mechanism is utilized then the panels will secure toeach other upon contact. Otherwise, a button may be buttoned throughsecond panel 30, or a snap configuration may be used to secure firstpanel 20 to second panel 30 with sufficient force.

It should be noted, that it is known in the art that a common shoe lacefor use in connection with sneakers is fiborous. As a result, the hookand loop type fastener will grab the tied bow 76 and laces 70 duringintermediate tying steps; even prior to closing of device 10.Furthermore, even in the closed position, the VELCRO® fastenerinteracting with the shoe lace aids in keeping the shoe lace tied.

By providing a shoe lace securing device of easy construction and easyuse, a device for maintaining a tied shoe is provided which may be usedeven by the child themself. By forming a face or other design onto theupper second panel, added play value, improved aesthetics, and theencouragement of use by the child is provided.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above and apparent fromthe preceding description are efficiently attained and, since certainchanges may be made in the above construction without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all mattercontained in the above description and shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:
 1. A device for securing a shoe lace comprising: afirst panel; a second panel affixed to the first panel and movable abouta fold line, between a first position away from the first panel and asecond position in contact with the first panel; a first shoe lacesecuring member extending from a first side of the first panel and asecond shoe lace securing member extending from an opposed side of thefirst panel for securing the first panel to a shoe; and a fastener forsecuring the first panel to the second panel when in the secondposition.
 2. The device for securing a shoe lace of claim 1, wherein thefirst panel has an interior surface and the second panel has an interiorsurface contacting the interior surface of the first panel when in theclosed position, the fastener being a hook and loop fastener disposedalong the interior surface of the first panel and the interior surfaceof the second panel.
 3. The device for securing a shoe lace of claim 1,wherein the second panel has an exterior surface, and further comprisingindicia disposed on the exterior surface.
 4. The device for securing ashoe lace of claim 3, wherein the indicia forms a face.
 5. The devicefor securing a shoe lace of claim 1, wherein the lace securing structureincludes a first membrane having a hole therein for receiving a lacetherethrough, the membrane extending from the first panel, and a secondmembrane having a hole therein for receiving a lace therethrough.